My O/D is being held hostage

[DayCruiser]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

I haven't had too much luck with mechanics that have a fixed location for that matter. Too much trial and error which equals my putting the boat in the water and then taking it right back out and right back to them. 2 shops(both dealers) did me that way and more than once. I found a mobile, who had a good reputation and he did a great job. I thought I was safe with a dealer one time by doing the smart thing by taking it to them in the winter/fall. Omg was I wrong!! Spring approached and they screwed up royally to boot!!.
So boat repair is like a box of chocolates--you never know what you are going to get
Better off to read this place and do as much as you can yourself

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

Just dropped the drive off at a qualified VP repair shop. What a world of difference dealing with true professionals. The service manager and mechanic went through the inventory of parts and listed what would be needed for the repair and gave me a "near firm" estimate. Only problem area they saw was maybe a new yoke & u-joint (+$300). They listed everything they'd do on the work order. What a relief! A week to 10 days and we'll be back on the water!

Thnx Fella's for allowing me to vent and your insights into this were tremendous in allowing me to understand exactly what's what in the world of VP outdrives. I owe you all a cool one!

Cheers.

 

[JustJason]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

being a mobile mechanic isn't cheap either... there is no shop to supply special tools... you have to buy all of them yourself if you want to take in that kind of work..
which makes one wonder......
last time i checked... the tool set for dp and sx drives what in the neighborhood of 3500 bucks...
now... for a non dealer... that's alot of drives to be rebuilt just to pay for the tools.
and besides... how often to VP drives fail???? they really don't unless they hit something or run without oil for to long.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

and besides... how often to VP drives fail???? they really don't unless they hit something or run without oil for to long.

That's similar to what the mechanic said today that for the bearings to be wiped out and the seals fail it's damage that's accumulated over many years probably more years than I've owned it. Which makes me think that mobile guy also serviced the drive 4 yrs ago and gave it a clean bill of health. Hmmmm?

Anyhow I don't care, I'll have it back on the boat in a week to 10 days. Can probably get some decent fall boating in before we have to tuck it away.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

So this chapter in the saga goes something like this....

Talked to service manager this afternoon to see how it's going. Drive has been reassembled minus the couple of missing parts. They'll have them this afternoon or tomorrow then they'll pressure test it. Barring any leaks we should have the drive back early next week.

Two mechanics worked on the drive. Both noticed problems with the new bearings. Apparently they were set into their seats with what appears to be a center punch and hammer. Definitely not the way it's done. They pulled them and pressed them back in and don't expect any problems. They also didn't have any problems shimming the gear sets to factory tolerences (that's the problem the other guy was supposedly having).

Both mechanics also looked at the old bearings and guess what? Nothing wrong with them!!! The service manager also had a quick look and all three, being factory trained with their credentials hanging on the wall, agreed there was no need to change the bearings. Now I'm doubly mad as hell!

 

[JustJason]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

They also didn't have any problems shimming the gear sets to factory tolerences (that's the problem the other guy was supposedly having).
QUOTE]

that's probably because the shop has the 3500$$ toolset

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

that's probably because the shop has the 3500$$ toolset

Think it was Scotty from Star Trek that said: "How many times do I have to tell you to use the Proper Tool for the job!" I think my ole' grandpappy used to tell me that too! Tools & Talent make for a good mechanic. Something most of us need just like a good doctor, lawyer and dentist! When you find a good you, you treat them well!